Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

OR
Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google
Quizzes > Society & Culture > Culture & Traditions

Test Your Arab Knowledge: Take the Ultimate Quiz!

Try our online Arab history quiz and culture challenge - dive in now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of Arab quiz theme with cultural symbols on teal background

Ready to prove you're a true Middle East aficionado? Join our free arab quiz and test your grasp of Arab history, culture, and traditions in one thrilling online challenge. From the rich stories of ancient dynasties in our arab history quiz to the vibrant customs spotlighted in the arab culture quiz and arab traditions quiz, every question will spark curiosity and expand your horizons. Perfect for learners and history buffs alike, this online arab quiz invites you to dive deep and discover fun facts you've never heard before. Click through the Ultimate Arab Quiz or try the Arabic language challenge now - let's see how much you really know!

Which city is the largest in the Arab world by population?
Cairo
Baghdad
Casablanca
Riyadh
Cairo is the capital of Egypt and is the most populous city in the Arab world, with a metropolitan population exceeding 20 million. It has long been the political, economic, and cultural center of Egypt. Greater Cairo is also among the largest urban agglomerations in Africa. source
What is the primary language spoken in most Arab countries?
Berber
Persian
Arabic
Turkish
Arabic is a Semitic language that serves as the official language of 22 countries in the Arab world. It has numerous dialects but Modern Standard Arabic is used in formal communication and media. The language has a rich literary history dating back to pre-Islamic poetry. source
Which sea lies to the west of the Arabian Peninsula?
Mediterranean Sea
Arabian Sea
Red Sea
Persian Gulf
The Red Sea separates the Arabian Peninsula from Africa and lies directly west of Saudi Arabia and Yemen. The Persian Gulf lies to the northeast of the peninsula, while the Arabian Sea is southeast. The Mediterranean Sea is further north, beyond Egypt and the Levant. source
What is the traditional Arab garment worn by men, often called a 'thobe' or 'dishdasha'?
Hijab
Abaya
Kaftan
Thobe
The thobe (also spelled thawb) is a long, ankle-length robe worn by men across the Arabian Peninsula and Gulf. It is typically made of light cotton or polyester to suit hot climates. The abaya is a similar loose robe for women, while the hijab is a headscarf. source
Which of the following is considered the holiest city in Islam?
Medina
Jerusalem
Mecca
Karbala
Mecca, located in Saudi Arabia, is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the site of the Kaaba, the holiest shrine in Islam. Muslims worldwide face the Kaaba during their five daily prayers. It is also the destination of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. source
What is the name of the famous prehistoric site in Saudi Arabia known for its Nabatean rock-cut tombs?
Qasr Amra
Mada'in Saleh
Palm Jumeirah
Petra
Mada'in Saleh, also known as Al-Hijr, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northwest Saudi Arabia featuring well-preserved Nabatean rock-cut tombs. It dates back to the 1st century CE and was a major caravan stop. Petra in Jordan is its more famous counterpart but is outside Saudi Arabia. source
Which beverage, known for its strong flavor and social tradition, is commonly consumed in the Arab world?
Orange juice
Arabic coffee
Cola
Mint tea
Arabic coffee (qahwa) is a spiced, lightly roasted coffee traditionally served in small cups during social gatherings across the Arabian Peninsula. It is often flavored with cardamom and sometimes saffron. Serving it is an important sign of hospitality. source
Which instrument, featuring a pear-shaped body, is commonly used in traditional Arab music?
Guitar
Violin
Sitar
Oud
The oud is a fretless, pear-shaped lute central to Arab classical and folk music. It typically has 11 or 13 strings arranged in courses. Its origins date back over a thousand years and it remains popular throughout the Middle East. source
Which Arab country was the first to discover oil in the 20th century?
Saudi Arabia
Bahrain
Iraq
Kuwait
Bahrain was the first Gulf state to strike oil in 1932, marking the start of the modern petroleum industry in the Arabian Peninsula. The discovery transformed its economy and paved the way for neighboring states. Saudi Arabia's first commercial oil was discovered later in 1938. source
What is the Arabic name for the traditional market or bazaar?
Caravanserai
Hammam
Madrasa
Souk
A souk is a marketplace found in Arab cities and towns, traditionally organized by type of goods sold. Souks have been central to commerce and social life in the Middle East and North Africa for centuries. The term can refer to both open-air markets and covered markets. source
Which famous Arab poet is known for his collection 'Mu'allaqat'?
Nizar Qabbani
Imru' al-Qais
Mahmoud Darwish
Al-Mutanabbi
Imru' al-Qais was a pre-Islamic Arab poet whose work is featured among the 'Mu'allaqat' - a group of seven long Arabic poems considered masterpieces of early Arabic literature. The 'Mu'allaqat' were traditionally thought to have been hung on the Kaaba's walls. They exemplify the richness of classical Arabic poetry. source
Which revolt led by T.E. Lawrence assisted Arab forces against the Ottoman Empire during World War I?
Rif War
Sykes-Picot Agreement
Arab Revolt
Mahdist War
The Arab Revolt of 1916 - 1918 was initiated by Sharif Hussein of Mecca and supported by T.E. Lawrence, who coordinated guerrilla operations against Ottoman forces. It played a key role in weakening Ottoman control in the Hejaz and contributed to Allied victory in the Middle East. source
Which desert is the largest hot desert in the world, covering much of the Arabian Peninsula?
Mojave
Sahara
Gobi
Arabian Desert
The Arabian Desert spans much of the Arabian Peninsula, including Saudi Arabia, Oman, the UAE, and Yemen, and is the largest hot desert on Earth. It covers over 2.3 million square kilometers. Conditions are extremely arid, with sand dunes, gravel plains, and occasional rocky plateaus. source
What is the significance of the Kaaba located in Mecca?
Direction of Muslim prayer
Annual festival site
Tomb of the Prophet Muhammad
Islamic university
The Kaaba is a cubic structure in the center of the Grand Mosque in Mecca and is the qibla, the direction Muslims face during prayer. It is believed to have been built by Abraham and his son Ishmael. Every year millions of pilgrims circle the Kaaba during Hajj and Umrah. source
Which ancient script, still seen in some inscriptions in Algeria today, is associated with the Berber languages?
Tifinagh
Arabic
Latin
Coptic
Tifinagh is the traditional script of the Berber (Amazigh) languages spoken across North Africa. It has ancient roots and modernized versions are still used in Algeria, Morocco, and Niger. UNESCO has recognized Tifinagh for its cultural significance. source
Which Yemeni ruler, also known as the 'Little Queen', was one of the few female sovereigns in the Arab world during the 11th century?
Shajar al-Durr
Zenobia
Cleopatra VII
Arwa al-Sulayhi
Arwa al-Sulayhi ruled Yemen from 1067 to 1138 and was nicknamed the 'Little Queen' due to her petite stature. She was known for political savvy and patronage of architecture and learning. Arwa played a key role in strengthening the Sulayhid dynasty. source
What is the name of the Arabic literary form characterized by riddles or word puzzles, often seen in medieval poetry circles?
Mu'amma
Rubaiyat
Qasida
Ghazal
Mu'amma is a genre of literary riddles or word puzzles that played a popular role in medieval Arabic poetry salons. Poets would compose cryptic descriptions or letter-arrangement challenges for audiences to solve. This form highlights the linguistic creativity of classical Arabic. source
The Umayyad Mosque in which city is famous for its ancient mosaics and is considered one of the oldest mosques in the world?
Cordoba
Cairo
Baghdad
Damascus
The Umayyad Mosque, completed in 715 CE in Damascus, Syria, is renowned for its extensive gilded mosaics depicting landscapes. It was built on the site of a Christian basilica and Roman temple. The mosque's courtyard and prayer hall are among the oldest and largest in the world. source
Which philosopher from the Arab world is known for his critique titled 'The Incoherence of the Philosophers'?
Al-Farabi
Avicenna
Al-Ghazali
Ibn Rushd
Al-Ghazali was a 11th-century Persian theologian and philosopher who authored 'Tahafut al-Falasifa' (The Incoherence of the Philosophers). In it, he challenged Neoplatonic interpretations of Aristotle promoted by earlier Islamic philosophers. His work marked a turning point in medieval Islamic thought. source
Which ancient city, referenced in the Quran and located in modern-day Yemen, was known for its advanced irrigation and trade?
Medina
Carthage
Ma'rib
Petra
Ma'rib was the capital of the Sabaean kingdom in present-day Yemen and is mentioned in the Quran. It featured an advanced dam system that supported agriculture and trade in antiquity. The dam's remains attest to sophisticated engineering skills. source
Which revolutionary movement in the Arab world began in Tunisia in 2010 and led to widespread protests?
Arab Spring
Orange Revolution
Green Movement
Ethiopian Revolution
The Arab Spring was a wave of anti-government protests and uprisings that started in Tunisia in December 2010. It rapidly spread across the Middle East and North Africa, leading to significant political changes in several countries. The movement was driven by demands for political reform, economic opportunity, and social justice. source
What type of vegetal mosaic decoration, often using pieces of colored plaster, is characteristic of Moorish architecture in North Africa and Spain?
Mashrabiya
Zellij
Muqarnas
Calligraphy
Zellij (or zellige) is an intricate mosaic tilework made from individually chiseled pieces of glazed terracotta set into plaster. It is widely used in Moorish architecture in Morocco and Andalusia. The geometric patterns reflect aniconic artistic traditions. source
Which sectarian Ismaili group once ruled from mountain towers and were known as the 'Assassins' in Crusader accounts?
Fatimids
Almoravids
Nizari Ismailis
Seljuks
The Nizari Ismailis established mountain fortresses in Persia and Syria during the 11th - 13th centuries. Crusaders referred to them as the 'Assassins' due to their targeted political killings. Their network was disrupted by the Mongol invasions in the mid-13th century. source
Which rare Semitic language, spoken by a small community in Oman and Yemen, represents one of the Modern South Arabian languages?
Mehri
Hebrew
Aramaic
Arabic
Mehri is one of the Modern South Arabian languages spoken by a minority in eastern Yemen and western Oman. It is unrelated to the Arabic dialects of the region and preserves ancient Semitic features. UNESCO classifies it as vulnerable due to declining use. source
Which treaty, signed in 1916, defined the future division of Ottoman Arab lands between France and Britain?
Sykes-Picot Agreement
Treaty of Sèvres
Treaty of Versailles
Balfour Declaration
The Sykes-Picot Agreement was a secret 1916 accord between Britain and France, with Russian assent, outlining control zones in the Ottoman Middle East after World War I. It disregarded many ethnic and sectarian boundaries. Its postwar implementation shaped modern national borders in the Levant. source
0
{"name":"Which city is the largest in the Arab world by population?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"Which city is the largest in the Arab world by population?, What is the primary language spoken in most Arab countries?, Which sea lies to the west of the Arabian Peninsula?","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}

Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Key Historical Events -

    Summarize major milestones in Arab history, from early civilizations to modern achievements.

  2. Identify Cultural Traditions -

    Recognize important Arab cultural practices and traditions across diverse regions and communities.

  3. Analyze Influential Figures -

    Evaluate the contributions of prominent Arab scholars, leaders, and innovators to world history.

  4. Compare Regional Variations -

    Contrast different customs and traditions within Arab societies, highlighting unique regional characteristics.

  5. Apply Historical Insights -

    Use knowledge from the quiz to draw connections between Arab history and contemporary cultural trends.

  6. Appreciate Arab Heritage -

    Develop a deeper appreciation for the linguistic, artistic, and intellectual richness of Arab civilization.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Islamic Golden Age Innovations -

    During the Islamic Golden Age (8th - 14th centuries), scholars like Al-Khwarizmi developed algebra (from "al-jabr," 820 CE) and refined trigonometry in works cataloged by UNESCO as seminal scientific milestones. A handy mnemonic "F-A-T-M" (Fiqh, Astronomy, Trigonometry, Medicine) helps recall major fields advanced. These contributions laid foundations for modern mathematics and sciences, as detailed by Cambridge University Press.

  2. Arabic Language and Dialects -

    Arabic exhibits diglossia between Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and regional dialects such as Gulf, Egyptian, Levantine, and Maghrebi, each with unique pronunciation and colloquial usage. Use the mnemonic "GELM" (Gulf, Egyptian, Levantine, Maghrebi) to remember the four primary dialect groups. Ethnologue and UNESCO reports highlight that despite variations, these dialects share a core vocabulary rooted in classical Arabic.

  3. Caliphate Chronology -

    The Umayyad (661 - 750 CE), Abbasid (750 - 1258 CE), and Ottoman (1517 - 1918 CE) caliphates shaped political and cultural landscapes across three continents; memorize "UAO" in order. Each dynasty patronized architecture, scholarship, and trade routes, extensively documented in the Oxford Islamic Studies Online. For example, Baghdad under the Abbasids became a global intellectual hub after its founding in 762 CE.

  4. Key Cultural Traditions -

    Observed by millions, Ramadan (fasting month), Eid al-Fitr (feast of breaking fast), and Eid al-Adha (festival of sacrifice) showcase values of charity and community; recall them with "REF." UNESCO recognizes these celebrations as intangible cultural heritage, while the UN's World Heritage Centre documents related communal feasts. Traditions like Suhoor and Iftar meals offer rich social rituals passed through generations.

  5. Geographic Scope and Arab League -

    The Arab world spans 22 countries across North Africa and Western Asia, unified under the Arab League since 1945; visualize "2×11" to remember the member states. This diverse region includes the Sahara, Nile Basin, and Levant, as detailed by National Geographic maps. Understanding this geography deepens appreciation for cultural variations and historical trade networks like Trans-Saharan caravans.

Make a Quiz (FREE) Copy & Edit This Quiz Create a Quiz with AI

Culture & Traditions Quizzes

Powered by: Quiz Maker